Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health Report of Investigation: Underground Nonmetal Mine Limestone (Crushed and Broken). Fatal Powered Haulage Accident, November 17, 2008, Douds Stone Inc, Lyle Underground Mine, Hedrick, Keokuk County, Iowa. Mine I.D. No. 13-02213

摘要

Robert G. Gire, mechanic, age 67 was fatally injured on November 17, 2008, when he was struck by a front-end loader. Gire was repairing a bent gate post along a haul road leading to the underground mine portal. The front-end loader approached to assist in the repair work and went out of control, striking him. The accident occurred because the front-end loaders service brake system was not being maintained in a functional condition. The service brakes on the front-end loader did not hold it on a grade. The policies and procedures were inadequate because examinations of the front-end loader failed to identify all safety defects. Portions of the warning system for the on-board Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) of the front-end loader were inoperative. The audible fault alarm was disconnected and the main fault light located in the cab was not functional. The in-cab fault test panel was not tested to verify warning devices functioned prior to placing the loader in service. A properly operating EMS would have provided the loader operator a warning for the service brake condition. The front-end loader operators manual requires immediate shutdown of operation to prevent injury to the operator when warned by the EMS.